Different OTC for neuropathy

Hi @peggyn, I believe those OTC supplements contain polyunsaturated fatty acids. You may want to try flaxseed which contains alpha linolenic acid. Omega 3 fatty acids help with brain function. I currently started taking flaxseed oil along with the fish oil which I have been taking for 2 years. I have read that the pain from neuropathy occurs from the nerve irritation and the tingling sensation is from the nerve regrowth. How long for the repair seems to depend on the degree of injury. Has anyone tried exercise for help? Supposedly when exercising, the endorphins released are a natural pain killer.

Hi, @peggyn - @johnbishop @artscaping @wilcy @cbnewpain @cocodab also may have some input related to OTC supplements for neuropathy — whether they have read about them or taken them, and if so, how it went.

@peggyn -- I think I shared with you before that I've been taking the protocol from the closed Facebook group Solutions to Peripheral Neuropathy Pain & Discomfort (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SPNPD/) since 2016. I'm still taking it although I only have numbness with my neuropathy. I believe it has slowed the progression of my small fiber PN so I'm happy with my new normal. They also have a website - http://solutions2pnpd.com/. The group is a 501c3 organization and has grown considerable in size since I first joined. You can read my neuropathy story posted earlier on Connect here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-dealing-with-peripheral-neuropathy/?pg=42#comment-65985

As far as the Nerve Renew and other varieties I think they are overpriced vitamins and supplements that may or may not work for everyone with PN but that's just my opinion based on my own research. Whatever you decide, I urge you to do your own research. Here are some links that will help you determine what's legit and what may be a scam.

Labdoor - Supplement Rankings (when comparing vitamins for best quality)
-- https://labdoor.com/rankings

Quazar's guidance about avoiding scams and snake oil cures
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-avoid-quacks-and-snake-oil-treatments/

FDA's Health Fraud Page
-- https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourself/HealthFraud/ucm539101.htm

NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) which offers guidance about integrative health and how to evaluate it.
-- https://nccih.nih.gov/health/decisions

Hi John,

I think I tried to follow your links once before in order to follow the treatment protocol but could not follow it. Is there anyway you could post the protocol?
Barry

Hi Barry @jager5210 -- The website has links for everything I take here - http://solutions2pnpd.com/products/ and they also have instructions on the website here -- http://solutions2pnpd.com/instructions/. I would suggest joining the closed Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/spnpd) if you want to try it and read all of the new member information to get up to speed on how it helps you and what you can expect. It may or may not work for everyone but it is an alternative way to treat neuropathy symptoms vs using drugs that have a lot of side effects. I would urge everyone to do their own research.
John

Thanks John,

I'll let you know if I have difficulty following the links. Sounds like you've had tremendous success with the protocol.

@avmcbellar Tingling can also be nerve irritation from physical compression or caused by stretching a nerve. I've had that, and the tingling stops when the compression is released by physical therapy and/or surgery. I've had tingling in my arms and hands from thoracic outlet syndrome, and tingling along with sharp nerve pain in my body from a spine problem caused by compression of the spinal cord, and that went away after surgery. The sharp nerve pains like stabbing or electric shocks, are the nerves that may be damaged and that in turn causes muscle atrophy when the nerves are not delivering the electrical impulses that the muscles need to contract and function. A problem like that needs to be evaluated and treated as soon as possible. Strengthening exercise can help by helping the body build better mechanics and posture which reduces pain when it stops compressing and stretching nerves because the muscles and bones are aligned where they are supposed to be. It took me 2 years to find a surgeon willing to help me, and I finally came to Mayo for spine surgery, because I got worse for 2 years because the local surgeons wouldn't help me. I did have muscle atrophy in my arms and shoulders from my spine problem, and since my surgery a couple years ago, I have been working to rebuild the muscle that I lost. Some has come back, but not all, and maybe this takes several years for peripheral nerves to regrow, or maybe I'll just reach a level of recovery and plateau. I am not as strong as I used to be, but I keep doing things that need strength, like kayaking and horse back riding which includes getting the horse ready which is physical work. It all helps core strength too which helps everything. Omega 3s help reduce inflammation which is great for health and helps prevent disease that is caused by inflammation, and exercise, endorphins and stress reduction go a long way too toward good health. Good for you!

I’m following the protocol works. Was skeptical so did much looking into each supplement and I definitely feel better on the protocol. John I added turmeric and actually after mentioning my weak nails previously I added zinc. What goes into your body with this condition really seems to matter and really make a difference on how you feel.

I still have the numbness but it hasn't gotten any worse the past 2+ years which is what my neurologist told me was going to happen so I consider it a win for me. For others it has also eliminated the pain which I didn't have with my neuropathy.

I also added turmeric. I had tried to make my own paste early on and mix it with smoothies but have switched to using a liquid turmeric.